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Why Disputes Happen

Why TV Programmers Take Away Your Favorite Networks

Network and Station Fees

A significant portion of your Local TV bill is passed on to Network and Broadcast station owners (Networks, or Programmers). Each TV provider is charged a fee per channel, per month, per customer for the right to provide that station or Network to its customers. When contracts come to an end, we negotiate new agreements and most of the time, you never hear about them. But sometimes, a Programmer will demand a significant increase in its Network fees. In those cases, we believe it’s our responsibility to take a stand and help protect you from excessive increases in your monthly bill.

Temporary Loss of a Cable Network or TV Station

In negotiations, Programmers will sometimes deny you access to their Networks and then blame us. However, it is the Network who makes the decision to take away your channels – not us. This tactic is an attempt to frustrate you, and then have you complain or even switch to another TV provider. But the real motive behind it is to help them extract huge Network fee increases, which drive your monthly bill higher.

We are always willing to keep Networks on the air until we come to an agreement, but Programmers often make the decision to not allow their Networks to stay on. Understanding Networks’ motives when they start a dispute or ask you to switch TV providers is the first step to keeping more of your money in your pocket, where it belongs.

Switching is Not the Answer

No Satellite, Cable or Internet provider is immune from Network disputes or blackouts. As long as Network and broadcast channel owners feel they can stop the flow of programming without any accountability, everyone suffers. Blackouts have increased every year; even top broadcast officials now admit these interruptions are anti-consumer, and pressure continues to mount in Washington, D.C. to stop this behavior.

Your Local Cable TV Provider is On Your Side

By holding firm in our negotiations, we’ve held our annual price increases well below the high annual increases that many Networks demand. Some Networks are asking for increases of 50%, 100% or even higher – and often for the exact same set of channels with no new content. Imagine the impact on your household budget if we accepted these excessive Network fee demands for just one channel, let alone for every one of the channels we offer.

We appreciate your support when we fight to offer you the best services at the best price possible.